Royds Hall, A Share Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 March 2023

Across Luck Lane and Royds Hall, there is warmth, ambition, and a palpable feeling of community in this all-through school. Staff have a strong commitment to helping children and pupils do as well as they can. Pupils have a voice in what happens at school, such as the 'ambassadors' at Luck Lane and the school council at Royds Hall. Pupils understand the recent decision to ban mobile phones in school. Older pupils told inspectors how proud they are of their uniform. Reception children at Luck Lane enjoy their 'balance-ability' sessions. Primary pupils enjoyed the 'break the rules' day in aid of charity. Secondary pupils are looking forward to the upcoming 'culture day'. The very large majority of pupils behave well. Pupils who spoke to inspectors said that they feel safe in school, and know which staff member they would go to if worried. To a very high degree, staff and pupils agree that bullying is not tolerated and that it is handled well when it does occur. A very small number of pupils and parents are less convinced that the school handles bullying effectively. This is a school where all staff want the best for children and pupils. The very large majority of pupils are on board with this level of ambition.

What the school should improve

• In places, the curriculum is not as thorough as it needs to be in developing pupils' skills in using subject methods. For instance, in using the methods of thinking and working like a historian or scientist, as well as learning the facts and ideas of history and science. Leaders should continue with their curriculum planning to further strengthen the coverage of subject methods and disciplinary knowledge, so that it is as consistently broad and deep as the curriculum's substantive subject knowledge.
• A small minority of pupils in the secondary phase in particular cause some disruption to learning at times. Leaders should continue to work to improve the behaviour of this small minority of pupils so that such instances are further reduced.
• Some pupils' understanding of world faiths and religions is limited. Leaders should ensure that their review of this aspect of the personal development curriculum is completed in a timely fashion, and the relevant actions taken as a result.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)